Here’s a video from Discovery Channel’s How It’s Made series. The video shows how hydroponics lettuce are produced on a commercial scale. The technology used in the video is floating raft technique, another method in hydroponics. It’s similar to a shallow water culture but differ in how the reservoir is managed. Because commercial hydroponics farms work on a huge amount of hydroponic nutrients, aeration and attention is needed so that the water temperature, PH and nutrient concentration stays at levels best suited for plant growth. Also, in this video, it shows the timeline to grow lettuce from seed to harvest. CONTINUE ►►

Ramgo offers different types of leaf and fruit vegetable seeds for your garden.

Ramgo is responsible for many of us who started and will be starting our journey to the wonderful world of gardening. Ramgo seed company is a gardening supply manufacturer is a good source of basic gardening needs. They have pots, fertilizers, tools, media and different types of paraphernalia related to the hobby or business to some.

I source my seeds, pots and hydroponic mediums from Ramgo’s retailers and these retailers aren’t hard to find here in Manila. One of their most accessible retailers is Ace Hardware which you can find in many SM Malls. Another retailer is Handyman which Continue ►►

Hydroponic mediums can be reused a few times before discarding and there are a few very easy steps to clean them before using them again.

Before we get to the dirty part, here is a little background on what happens to these mediums when used. When plants grow on these mediums, their roots will try to cover as much space as they can occupy around these mediums to absorb as much water and nutrients they need. Whenever you harvest your vegetables and these roots die, bacteria and other pathogens will immediately try to decompose these dead roots . These decomposing bacterias have been present in your system from the start and they only feed on decaying or dead matter. CONTINUE ►►

Hydroton is more commonly known LECA or lightweight expanded clay aggregates. These round ceramic shells are popular with aquaponic systems and is also a good medium of choice for hydroponic systems. Like many hydroponic mediums, hydroton retains water and light in weight.

This hydroponic medium is manufactured in commercial quantity by firing up clay to temperatures that could reach 1200 degrees Celsius. The result is a dark grey honeycomb core and a round solid outer shell. Water can easily penetrate the outer shell and the core stays wet until CONTINUE ►►

Whenever I buy seeds or someone gives me a pack of seeds, I would always ask whether these are hybrid seeds or heirloom seeds. The reason is because I would like to know whether these plants would give me generations of seeds or whether they’re only good for a single season. To put it in better perspective, heirlooms and hybrids are to be considered two different cultivars when it comes to fruit baring plants. Not because they produce different type of fruits but these two type of plants are genetically modified through either open and cross pollination for their purpose. Reproducing these two types of plants isn’t easy and one shouldn’t bother with planting seeds of the other if you aren’t sure what the outcome would be. CONTINUE ►►

Vermiculite makes one of the best hydroponic mediums for SNAP hydroponics. Like other hydroponic mediums, vermiculite is very light and retains a good amount of liquid for a period of time. It does not compact very tightly and for that reason, the roots have access to a good amount of both SNAP hydroponic nutrients and oxygen as long as long the vermiculite is not totally submerged to the solution.

Vermiculite like many other hydroponic mediums also makes a good potting mix ingredient. It CONTINUE ►►

Coco peat is a popular potting mix ingredient and can be used as a hydroponic medium. Coco peat is a great hydroponic medium because it is very light in volume weight and It absorbs and retain water very well. Its water retention is so good that it could last long enough until you refill or water your hydroponic system. One of the benefits of using coco peat for your hydroponic system or even your potting mix is that it’s organic itself. It’s also very light in weight compared to soil or gravel and it can be CONTINUE ►►

People often ask the question if whether a certain plant is best suited for hydroponics or pots (commonly known as container gardening). To answer this question, there are very few things to consider. One of of which is how fast do these plants grow. Some plants do grow pretty fast (less than 2 months from seed to harvest) and some barely grow an inch in their first couple of months.

Another factor to consider is the size of the plant specifically the main stem to which branches grow out of. Because common hydroponic systems use small pots and light hydroponics mediums, the plant my fall over because the medium cannot support the whole plant when there’s strong winds or the over all weight of the plant outweighs the hydroponic mediums capability to support it. CONTINUE ►►

There’s nothing more gratifying than the feeling of having on the table something you’ve worked hard for. May it be a fine dish you cooked for the last 3 hours the whole family loves or a box of the best pizza in town from your first hard earned bonus or paycheck. Putting in hard work and patience truly adds the thrill and excitement of seeing your friends or family enjoy something you’ve prepared for them.

There’s something truly delightful with having to pick fresh fruits and vegetables from the yard or by the window. Especially if this garden tree or plant was something you’ve taken cared of for weeks, CONTINUE ►►